West Craven High School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 2 July 2024

Many pupils at this school have a strong appetite for learning. However, pupils do not achieve as highly as they should. This is because, in some subjects, the curriculum is not delivered effectively. The school has considerably increased its expectations of how pupils should behave. Many pupils now behave well. They are polite and articulate. However, there remain some pupils who do not engage as positively as they should with their learning. Most pupils demonstrate respect towards each other. They do not perceive bullying to be an issue and they value the support that they receive from staff. However, at times, some pupils are subject to the use of derogatory and discriminatory language by their peers. While pupils are aware that the school does not tolerate this, sometimes they are not confident to report it. This means that, at times, when the use of derogatory language occurs, it is not swiftly addressed. There are opportunities for pupils to take part in clubs and to take on roles of responsibility in the school. For example, the school has a number of 'ambassadors' and some pupils have completed training in mental health and anti-bullying approaches. Pupils also take part in a range of competitions and events.

What the school should improve

• In some subjects, staff's expectations of pupils' learning are not high enough. Staff do not select the most appropriate activities to help pupils to learn the knowledge in the curriculum. Pupils, including those with SEND and those who are disadvantaged, do not achieve as well as they should. The school should ensure that staff raise their expectations of pupils' achievement, and that the delivery of the curriculum supports pupils to successfully build their knowledge in these subjects.
• In some subjects, staff do not use assessment strategies well to check what pupils know and can do. This hinders staff from pinpointing pupils' misconceptions or gaps in knowledge and from using this information to shape future teaching. The school should ensure that staff are suitably equipped to swiftly identify and remedy pupils' gaps in knowledge so that pupils can learn well in these subjects.
• Some pupils do not behave as well as they should in lessons, and some other pupils subject their peers to the use of discriminatory language. This disrupts some pupils' learning and hinders other pupils from having a positive experience in school. The school should ensure that staff apply the behaviour policy consistently well so that any unacceptable behaviour is addressed rapidly and appropriately.
• The school's work to strengthen some aspects of its quality assurance processes is at an earlier stage. From time to time, there are some areas where improvement has not been as rapid as it could be. The school should ensure that it has robust processes in place to accurately identify and address weaknesses in all aspects of its provision.

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